Hyperinsulinemia and related atherosclerotic risk factors in the population at cardiovascular risk: A community-based study

Background: A population-based study was conducted in Taiwan to investigate the prevalence of insulin resistance and high serum insulin concentrations and their relationships with potential atherosclerotic risk factors. Methods: We studied 2165 subjects, ages >35, from a community cohort. Results: The distributions of fasting insulin were skewed to the right, wit h higher concentrations in women than in men. As age increased, insulin inc reased in women, but decreased in men. As fasting insulin concentrations in creased, postloading insulin, glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, wai st-to-hip ratio, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, apoprot ein B, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, tissue plasminogen activator and fibrinogen increased, but lipoprotein(a), HDL-cholesterol, and apoprotein A 1 decreased. Multiple logistic regression showed that obesity, high LDL-cho lesterol, and low HDL-cholesterol were significant predictors of hyperinsul inemic status. Conclusion: The study subjects with insulin resistance syndrome and related risk factors may be at risk for atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and other cor onary heart diseases. (C) 1999 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.